W―G―had been brought to God in early life, and for over fifty years sounded out the glad tidings of salvation. He was well known and respected as a Christian, whose walk and ways were a daily witness to the truth which his lips confessed. The father of a large family, seven sons and three daughters, he sought to train them in the ways of the Lord. Family cares and personal affliction caused him to pass through many exercises, which were sanctified to him in the Lord’s grace.
At the close of his earthly pilgrimage he suffered from a severe illness, and the poor body became racked with pain. In the midst of all he manifested the spirit of Christ in many ways, often blessedly expressing his heart’s confidence in God. On one occasion, one of his daughters said to him, “I wish I could do something to relieve your suffering, father.”
“My dear,” he replied, “you can’t relieve me. ‘Every man shall bear his own burden’ (Gal. 6:55For every man shall bear his own burden. (Galatians 6:5)). ‘Let patience have her perfect work’ (James 1:44But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:4)). He will not lay upon us more than we can bear. ‘All the promises of God,’ in Christ, are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2 Cor. 1:2020For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (2 Corinthians 1:20)).
A fellow-laborer having called in one day to visit him, reminded him how many years he had enjoyed the privilege of preaching the gospel, which elicited the reply, “It is not what I have done through grace, but what Christ has done for me, that sustains me now.”
“Well, dear brother, doubtless you would like once more to preach the gospel of God’s grace.”
“I could preach to them now, if they would only come to me.”
On the last Sunday before he passed away to be forever with the Lord, he remarked to his daughter, “What must have been the agonies of Jesus!” His spirit longed to depart, yet he expressed his readiness to wait the Lord’s time, desiring that all the will of God should be done in him. Oft, with the joy of anticipation, he would say to her, “We must part, but we shall meet again, where there will be no more partings, but we shall be forever with the Lord.”
His mind was bright and clear to the very last. To his beloved wife, with whom he had lived nearly fifty-six years without ever having been known to give her an angry word, he said, “My dear, you will miss me, but cling to Christ, and do the best you can.”
Some three days before he fell asleep, he asked the doctor calmly whether he thought it would be long before the end. At last the day came. His family gathered round him. A heavenly smile lit up his features. And shortly before his spirit fled from its earthly tenement, gathering his last remaining strength, he said, “Victory! victory! victory! through the blood of the Lamb―Jesus has won the victory―Jesus the Conqueror will reign―Jesus the Conqueror must reign.
Mercy’s full power we then shall prove,
Loved with an everlasting love.”
The doctor, who was present when he passed away, said it was truly falling asleep, and not death.
All his earthly affairs had been carefully settled. He had set his house in order, and arranged even the details of the burial of his poor worn-out frame.
“Victory! victory! victory!” “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:5757But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)). Is this your triumph cry, dear reader, “Victory through the blood of the Lamb”? Naught else can give you rest of soul, confidence in view of His speedy return, or assurance and joy, if death should be near. His victory is ours, the victory of every one that believeth. Yes, as this dear old dying saint said, “Jesus has won the victory. Jesus the Conqueror will reign. Jesus the Conqueror must reign.” He knew it, was assured of it, and rejoiced in it. Can you? Satan is a defeated foe. The victory is the Lord’s. Jesus has triumphed gloriously over all the power of the enemy. Salvation now is free, free for all, free for you. Believe, troubled soul, on His all-glorious Name. His precious blood will cleanse you from every guilty stain. “Though thou wash thee with niter, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord God” (Jer. 2:2222For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord God. (Jeremiah 2:22)). But the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, cleanseth us from all sin (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)).
Behold the Lamb! ‘tis He who bore
My sins upon the tree,
And paid in death the dreadful score―
The guilt that lay on me.
“Victory, victory, victory, through the blood of the Lamb!” Blessed news! Joyful news! Will you trust Him―Jesus―even Jesus, the Lamb of God, the risen Christ, the mighty Conqueror, the coming Saviour?
Just as Samson found honey in the carcass of the dead lion, so the believer finds sweetness for his soul through the victory of Jesus over the roaring lion—the great enemy of our souls (Judg. 14). Will you participate therein? The blessing is for all. But salvation’s day is now. Cease from yourself, and the wretched efforts of your poor deceived heart, and believe on the Lord Jesus, the holy Lamb of God. Then may you shout with all His own: ― “Victory, victory, victory, through the blood of the Lamb!”
Jesus has won the victory, whether you believe on Him or not. Soon he will return for all His own (1 Thess. 9:15-18). And when shortly after the Conqueror reigns, and reign he must, and will (1 Cor.15:25)
“Mercy’s full power we then shall prove
Loved with an everlasting love.”
E. H. C.